Piccard, Jean, << pee KAHR or pih KAHRD, zhahn >> (1884-1963), was a noted Swiss-born aeronautical engineer and high-altitude research pioneer. In 1934, he ascended by balloon more than 57,500 feet (17,530 meters). In 1937, he made the first piloted multiple-balloon flight, using 98 balloons, each measuring 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter. Piccard’s wife, Jeanette, piloted many of his balloon flights. She was the first woman to ascend into the stratosphere.
Piccard was born on Jan. 28, 1884, in Basel, Switzerland. He became a United States citizen in 1931. He died on Jan. 28, 1963. His twin brother, Auguste, also conducted high-altitude research.
